HID light & mounting options for battery cannister

[sactomags]

I'm considering a special-made-for-me set up of an HID light with the ability to mount the battery cannister to my tank (using my BC's tank strap). The light would then be available to clip to my BC, then unclip and clip to my camera or video. I would also have the option to use the light just as a dive light.

Any thoughts from any of you on good/bad, why? There's a lot of knowledge here, so I look forward to your thoughts.

Thanks,
Margaret
(Counting the days to return to Saba, Oct. 30 - Nov. 8)

 

[Northeastwrecks]

First, can you attach it to your waist strap? You might find it easier to reach battery pack. In addition, it will be somwhat more streamlined. Finally, it seems to me that it would have less chance of getting bumped.

Second, will you be able to reach the switch while you are wearing it?

 

[sactomags]

Yes, I could attach it to the cumberbund of my BC. I've got a Diva, so it is a little limited as there is the cumberbund and then another strap on top of that which snaps together. That would, perhaps be a bit more streamlined but I don't think it would get bumped much on the side of my tank. I think it is about a maximum of about 4-5" across. (As an aside, I was looking at another BC this weekend and this wouldn't be a option for it as it had a bodice that zipped up and any side clasps were way off on the side that would really take some work to balance.)

Yes, even with the battery cannister mounted on my tank (on the right side), it would be upside-down so that I could reach back and click the switch.

Other comments/ideas?

Margaret

 

[ronrosa]

Hopefully you are not paying anything extra to mount the light canister on the tank. It is a standard applicaition similar to mounting a pony bottle, except as you noted the canister is mounted upside down to allow access to the on/off switch.

If you are going HID, the canister should be relatively small compared to a halogen setup. With a small canister a belt mount should be simpler/easier to work with.

A tank mount involves mounting the bracket on 2 tanks for a 2 tank dive and the issue of when to mount the canister needs to be addressed. Many boats store tanks adjacent to each other and have little room between.